Editing Vandenberg Space Force Base (section)

====== LGM-118 Peacekeeper ======
[[File:Peacekeeper missile.jpg|thumb|Test launch of LGM-118 Peacekeeper|241x241px]]
The last ICBM tested from Vandenberg was the [[LGM-118 Peacekeeper]] (MX) ICBM beginning in June 1983. In addition to having a longer range than earlier ICBMs, the Peacekeeper could deliver up to 10 reentry vehicles to separate targets.<ref name="vafbhistory"/> It was intended as a replacement for the [[LGM-30 Minuteman]], but it suffered from a long development time, and was retired in 2005 before the Minuteman because of arms reduction treaties.

The first Peacekeeper ICBM was launched by Air Force Systems Command from an above ground canister-type launch facility from Launch Complex TP-01 on 17 June 1983. This was the first "cold launch" of a missile at Vandenberg AFB, the missile reaching {{cvt|600|mi|km}} downrange. Two more test launches were conducted in 1983 from Launch Complex TP-01.<ref name="Chronology"/><ref name="Peacekeeper">{{cite web |url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/peaeeper.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006090340/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/peaeeper.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 October 2007|title=Martin Marietta LGM-118 Peacekeeper|publisher=Astronautix|access-date=31 March 2013}}</ref>

The first Peacekeeper with a Mark-21 test reentry vehicle was flight-tested from TP-01 on 15 June 1984. The Mark-21 resembled the reentry vehicle intended for the Peacekeeper weapon system. Two more test launches were conducted in 1984, the missile from TP-01. Air Force Systems Command conducted the final Peacekeeper launch from the above-ground TP-01 launch pad on 30 June 1985.<ref name="Chronology"/><ref name="Peacekeeper"/>

The first silo launch from LF-05 took place on 24 August 1985 from LF-08. LF-02 began to be used in 1986 for additional launches. On 23 August 1986 the first launch of a completely operational hardware configured missile and launch facility, and also the first Peacekeeper launch by a SAC combat crew under the control of Air Force Systems Command took place from silo LF-02.<ref name="Chronology"/><ref name="Peacekeeper"/>

A new Peacekeeper Missile Procedures Trainer was dedicated in March 1987. The US$17 million facility featured a state-of-the-art computer based simulator which would be used to train and evaluate missile crew members. The first LGM-118 Peacekeepers were deployed to [[Francis E. Warren Air Force Base]] in [[Wyoming]] that year.<ref name="Chronology"/><ref name="Peacekeeper"/> LGM-118 Peacekeeper test launches continued from Vandenberg with a third silo, LF-05 becoming operational in March 1990. The final launch of a LGM-118 Peacekeeper 33PA took place on 21 July 2004 before the missile was retired from service.<ref name="Chronology"/><ref name="Peacekeeper"/>